“I believe we probably could, seeing as we are currently deceased, and will remain so indefinitely.”
“You don't have to be so crabby Equius.”
“No, I suppose I do not. However the urge is quite strong. Perhaps if you commanded me to, I could stop.”
“Cod your hand is getting sweaty.”
“Yes. It does that.”
“Whale come on before I leave you.”
“Is that an order?”
“Yes.”
She sticks out her tongue and giggles, as if it was a jest, but none the less you consider it an order. You like that. Being bossed around. By a high and mighty seadweller, your natural enemy; it feels so perfectly wrong. Even if she isn't actually high and mighty or very much your enemy in any way. Those are trivial facts. Facts that can easily be glossed over. Ignored while you drink in her exquisite curves, filled out by her diet of blubber and kelp. Thighs and arms strong from swimming. Flowing raven hair glossy from the sea salt. Eyes sparkling with almost constant excitement and with an extra little twinkle just for you.
She cares about you. Legitimately. In a way that sees past your harsh words and sweat and is not at all platonic. You really don't intend to be rude or mean, it just comes out. Feels natural. Maybe something to do with your status on the hemospectrum or close proximity to Vriska and her spiked tongue. She understands you do not mean most of those calmly stated insults. She just tells you to hush and kisses your cheek or starts dragging you off for some adventure or another. You enjoy it really. Enjoy her as well.
This surprises you.
It goes against basic hemospectrum rules and roles. You should only serve under her, and only do so because of threat of death or other, worse punishments. You should despise her with all of your being because of the tyranny she places over you. She doesn't though. She doesn't and you don't and none of that seems to even matter to anyone but you. Well, not even to you, really; except that breaking these traditional roles makes you feel so very impudent the rule breaking in itself becomes addicting. Addicting just as the seadweller has become.
She stops suddenly and you are brought out of your thoughts by a swift wave of ocean breeze making it's way under your nostrils. You look out into the water. She releases your hand and moves in front of you, standing on her tip toes to remove your glasses and press a small, soft kiss to your lower lip, which is all she can reach on her own. You smile at her, despite being fully aware your grins aren't exactly the nicest or least pained in appearance. She beams up at you in response, all beautiful pearly whites and eyes scrunched closed in a rather cute manner.
“You should probably take off your shoes and socks.”
“I do not see any reason to really.”
“We're going swimming silly-gilly!”
“I never agreed to participate in such an act.”
“Come on Equius you'll enjoy it!”
“I do not wish to get wet.”
“You're always wet! You're a practical waterfall of sweat.”
“That is different.”
“How?”
“I cannot control that, this I can easily avoid.”
“No you can't.”
“I don't see why not.”
“Because I'm going to make you!”
She 'drags' you into the water by your wrist. You and she alike are perfectly aware that if you were actually protesting she wouldn't have a cod's chance in hell of dragging you, deplorable language aside. You slip off your shoes just before you reach the water. Not that it actually matters, since you can just remember dry shoes and such to make them appear, but you're fairly certain your heavy cleats would impede swimming ability. Not to mention the sharp nubs on the sole may accidentally encounter Feferi once she starts splashing around like an impudent child. Or rather like a nymph. Yes. You enjoy that description much more.
You are deep enough in the water that you have to kick to stay up when it occurs to you you can't swim that well. Enough to stay afloat, certainly, but nothing near the amount of skill she must have in it. She's probably excited to be back in the water after who knows how long as well. She may very well swim off without you and leave you to your own devices. By yourself. You really would prefer that not happen. She probably won’t, you’re just having trouble adjusting to the thought of a seadweller as anything but deplorable.She lets go of your wrist and backstrokes out a little before stopping and motioning you towards her with her fingers. You shake your head.
“Come on Equius it will be fun!”
“I don’t think that it will.”
“You can’t tell anything about it standing there like you’re belly-up.”
“Well, technically I am ‘belly-up’, though that term seems rather ridiculous.”
“Oh just get out here!”
“I refuse.”
“If you want me to give it as a command I will, I don’t mind reely.”
“I would rather enjoy- Er. No.”
“Equius just swim out here already.”
“I cannot.”
“Oh!”
She paddles back to you and grabs your hands, twining her fingers between yours. “I’m gonna start backing up, and I want you to try to kick your legs behind you.” You nod. “And try to do it lightly, I know it’s hard with your mussels, but I’m pretty shore if you go full blast you’ll mow me over.” She starts floating back, and you try to do as she ordered, no, requested, but you just end up floating out with her without accomplishing anything other than being pulled further from the shore.
“I really don’t think this is working. Perhaps we should cease in this course of action.”
“You can’t reely be giving up that easily.”
“I believe I can.”
“Saury, but I’m not gonna let you. If you want to quit I’ll just swim out and leave you here.”
“... Alright.”
She starts going again and you try kicking again. This time you do some close semblance of legitimate swimming. You grin and she giggles at you. “Sea? You can do this!” This process is repeated quite a few times. Then she lets go of your hands and shows you how to move them for a stroke. Swims along beside you and gives you little tips. Holds a hand pressed to your stomach beneath you to keep you from sinking and eventually lets go. Then you’re swimming. Slower than she can, certainly. In fact she swims circles around you, but you are swimming. Then she stops and and you do as well, grinning like a fool.
“Isn’t it fun Equius?”
“I suppose.”
“You don’t have to keep acting like a grumpy gills, I can sea you smiling silly.”
She chuckles and wraps her arms around your neck. Rubs her cheek against yours. “Betides, I can reach you now.” You need a towel. Well, you suppose you need one anyway. You’re just also sweating profusely enough that even if you weren’t submersed in ocean water you’d still need a towel. She smiles bright and perfect and presses a soft kiss to your lips.
